X's and O's: 22 Duke

LaxLessons.com shares some highlights from their online playbook to add a successful twist to any offensive arsenal

Does your team’s strength lie with your midfield? Is one of your guys a great feeder?

This is a great play to put him in the spotlight by spreading out the opposing defense, isolating the shortstick defenders and providing opportunities for your off-ball players to finish right in front of the goal.

22 Duke starts out with your midfielders inverted behind the cage in a wide 2-2-2 formation, similar to an open set with no one on the crease. The 2-2-2 formation isolates the opposing team's shortstick midfielders behind the net, allowing M1 and M2 time and space to get their hands free to feed the crease.

The ball starts with the right-side inverted midfielder, M2, behind the net dodging to his right off a pick set by the other inverted midfielder, M1. As M2 begins his dodge, the players above the goal line should look to time up their picks so M2 is able to cycle through his progression of looks:

1. Inside to A3 coming off the pick from A1, ball side for a close quick finish.

2. A follow-up look inside to A2 coming off the pick from M3, ball side for a quick shot.

3. Skip pass to attackman A1 slipping to the backside pipe after setting the pick for A3 for an in-close finish.

The emphasis for the off-ball players should be working together to time up screens for one another. Isolating the shortsticks and controlling the ball behind the net allows your offense to choose the best option for attacking the goal. The players on the left side of the field, M3 and A1, should be coming across to the opposite side of the goal to set a screen for the right-side players, A2 and A3, to cut hard off.

This play works really well when executed properly; as in all plays, timing is the key to success. The ideal use for this play is when a team has noticeably strong on-ball longstick defenders or noticeably weak shortstick defenders.

22 Duke can be worked into your team's normal offensive arsenal and should be practiced going to the right and left side of the field, but should be run toward the direction that plays to your team's strengths.

For more from LaxLessons.com founder and IL writer Ryan Rabidou, check out LaxLessons.com and InsideLacrosse.com.